The game takes place in Goldenrod City, the metropolis of the Johto Region. Situated in the center of the region, Goldenrod City is at the intersection of the land’s rich history and cutting-edge technology.
All of Johto’s radio programming happens here, which means it’s one of the major reasons for people to commute into the city. Professor Oak, for example, takes the bullet train 2-3 times a week to do his radio show. You can often find other celebrities with their rare and valuable Pokemon making an appearance here.
The women who run the flower shop adore plants more than people or (non-plant) Pokémon. If you ever have any issue with a plant (or want to learn how to start one), you can find help here.
Rydell specializes in folding bikes, but he also gets imports from Hoenn— Mach bikes and Acro bikes, and the occasional motorcycle. Rydell rents bikes out to those who can’t afford to buy one for a small fee, meaning he’s well-connected to a lot of trainers in the region.
The Underground is a commercial strip that runs horizontally up and down the western side, beneath the city. It’s full of stalls and merchants that change day-to-day, meaning you won’t find the same thing here twice. The underground is also a prime location for a hideout, seeing as there are smaller (technically off-limits) tunnels that lead out to the Goldenrod sewer systems.
Two brothers who give haircuts to people and Pokémon. Their haircuts are so popular that Goldenrod’s wealthiest are lining up to get one for their Pokémon. A sharp rocket could set up an operation to drain their lined pockets.
The woman who runs this shop sells bitter medicine that most Pokémon hate, but they get the job done. She’s also a fence for stolen goods and parts from Pokemon (tinymushrooms, slowpoke tails, etc).
Depending on which era you play in, the Game Corner is either a safe haven or extremely dangerous. During the days of Giovanni, Team Rocket owned this place and made it a useful base of operations. When Giovanni “dissolved” Team Rocket, someone else took it over, and the new ownership is hypervigilant about Rocket activity. People flock from all over Johto to lose money at this location.
This gorgeous natural area is home to many types of Bug and Grass-type Pokemon, which makes it a prime location for bug-catching contests and other events. National Park is a perfect spot for tourists, lovers, and anyone wanting an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The park’s two main entrances are protected by a pretty firm security detail, but on days where there are events, contests, and festivals they’re always understaffed.
Inside of National Park sits the Pokeathlon Dome, where Pokemon Trainers compete with their Pokemon for Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals. It’s like the Olympics but with Pokemon, and it happens year-round. Other events happen at the dome in the off-season, like rallies and concerts.